greenwashing

This article includes a list of simple principles that you can apply in your green marketing to reduce the possibility of consumers or environmentalists accusing your company of greenwashing. As the principles are general, you can use them in any industry and for any product or service.

Wal-mart (falsely) claims its Love, Earth jewelry line is eco-friendly because consumers can trace the mine origins to the “Jewelry Sustainable Value Network”. Not so, according to a statement by Global Response who reports that the "mines are not monitored or certified by any credible independent agent." 

Parody is cool, but it should at least be funny.

Humorous short animation by MTV Switch, draws some important points about 'green' and sustainability claims which are unsubstantive or irrelevant. Includes additional commentary and analysis

What happens when corporations stop greenwashing…and start being real? MTV wants to find out. The NYC-based network just launched a global marketing push to tackle climate change with TV ads attacking those guilty of greenwashing. All of this is part of their youth-targeted climate change initiative called MTV Switch.

n August the UK's Advertising Standards Authority ruled that Shell had misled the public by branding it's Canadian oil sands operation as "sustainable" in an Financial Times advert in February.

The ad that was the target of the WWF and the ASA was carried in the Financial Times February 1st and accompanied Shell's financial results.  The company claimed: "We invest today's profits in tomorrow's solutions."  Shell explained it was harnessing its technical expertise "to unlock the potential of the vast Canadian oil sands deposits".

I really appreciate all companies who sincerely “care about” the environment. I also appreciate those who formerly did not but now do. What, however, disturbs me a little bit, is that there are a large number of companies whose only wish is to “parasitize” on this new wave. Virtually, they are some sort of deadheads, stowaways.

For most of you, this is a refresher course.  For you first timers, have a look and listen to how you're being lied to.

Enjoy!

Greenwashing, the term used when a company misleads a consumer regarding its environmental practices, can make it difficult for the average eco-newbie to know what's truly best for Mother Earth.

The Canadian Competition Bureau has tough new penaltys for people and companies who make environmental claims they cannot support.

Creating an effective greenwashing pr or ad campaign can be tough business.  Always focus on accentuating the green-ness of your endeavor or product, even if there really isn’t any.  Vague associations with cuddly bears and penguins or majestic landscapes traditionally work well in upping your perceived green quotient.  Here’s a few other...

More from our very own Christine Z splashing life and brilliance onto the page.

This is a brief entry that allows people to register a pledge of support for tap water and against bottled water.  The idea is to get as many pledges as possible to send a message to companies that bottled water is not a good investment in our health or the environment.

This article provides useful tips, resources, and links to help consumers buy genuinely green products and identify greenwashing.  It briefly describes certification of green products, FTC regulation of environmental advertising, and additional online informational resources for green consumers.

This article is the third part in a series that describes useful resources to help the green consumer combat greenwashing and identify green products that are genuinely good for the environment.  Whereas parts one and two dealt with certification programs and FTC regulation, this third part describes helpful online informational resources.

TerraChoice came up with a list of six sins after surveyed more than 1,000 products for environmental claims.

This article summarizes the criteria used by the Federal Trade Commission to regulate environmental claims by businesses.  It also identifies limitations of FTC regulation in curbing greenwashing.

This article illustrates the "Six Sins of Greenwashing" through examples submitted by contributors to green forums and merchants who belong to the Co-op America green business network. 

This is a humorous reflection on American culture and the response to climate change.

The author shares an overview of greenwashing, including links for more information, and gives readers tips for how to avoid buying products that are not truly green.

That’s right folks; the long wait is finally over. Has your newborn already outgrown those Ronald Reagan ‘Trickle-Down Diaper Covers’ that were hand-me-downs from your cousin?

"There used to be a terribly vicious cycle that held true when it came to green construction: Builders didn't want to shell out extra cash to offer ecologically-friendly homes because they were afraid that competitors would just continue business-as-usual and steal away all the customers with their lower prices.

"Anytime there is a paradigm shift within an industry, like the one we are seeing now toward Green building practices, there are likely to be two camps: Those who truly believe in the new paradigm and whose body of work clearly shows it and the hangers-on who merely try to 'hop on the bandwagon' without really changing the way they do business.

“Barbie is always a reflection of current cultural trends and issues, and girls are increasingly aware of making a green statement,” said Richard Dickson, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Media and Entertainment, Worldwide, Mattel Brands. That’s right, Barbie is reflecting the trend of going green. Mattel realizes it wants a piece of the eco-friendly toy pie, but this ploy screams of greenwashing, especially considering the line will only be sold at Toys R Us.

"Hypocrisy is the first step toward real change" -- Hunter Lovins

A ragtag crew of Bahamian islanders fight to save their coral reef at all odds.

Looking over the pile of eco-gizmos out there, there's a term that comes to mind. Calling up the term "unitasker" from Unclutterer, this device is an Environmental Nontasker-- it does one thing very badly but claims to reduce your environmental footprint while doing it. The problem is, it never really ends up "paying for itself".

Barnes & Noble messes up with this “Earth Day” promotion.

When buying a car is alleged to be eco-friendly ... A French (translated) campaign. But maybe in your country soon. Can Volkswagen count on us ?

Tips for writing clear copy for your green product